Female representation in the Brazilian political scene

Stereotypes and prejudices

Abstract

Almost 100 years after establishing the first Brazilian Electoral Code in 1932, female underrepresentation in politics remains a persistent reality. Data from the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) reveals that, although women represent 53% of the electorate in the 2022 elections, they only secured 18% of the contested positions. This exclusion is even more pronounced among Black women and women of other ethnicities, social classes, and gender identities. Cases of abuse, moral and sexual harassment, physical and virtual assaults, and death threats against women are frequent and constant in the news. This article addresses the various forms of violence women face in politics, focusing on the cases that gained prominence in the media during the first half of 2022. The methodology includes a literature review and documentary research using a snowball approach on journalistic websites. The results reveal that political violence has been frequent and intensified as women's presence in positions of power advances, particularly with the growth of conservatism, which encourages sexist and aggressive attitudes in all spheres of society. Although some progress has been observed, such as enacting legislation that criminalizes political violence against women, it is important to emphasize that its implementation is still limited and faces challenges due to the entrenched misogynistic culture within the judiciary.